11 Secrets From the Set of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

For Jimmy Fallon’s first Father’s Day, the Tonight Show host did what every new dad does to celebrate going almost one year with little to no sleep—he spent the day with his family at Universal Orlando Resort riding roller coasters and hanging with Harry Potter. That’s normal, right?

The late night host was in town getting a first look at the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Diagon Alley, which is not yet open to the public. On Monday night, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon welcomed Keenen Ivory Wayans and musical guest Jennifer Lopez. We got to attend the sold-out show. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at the things that didn’t make it on air.

Location, Location, LocationTaping of the show took place on the backlot of Universal Studios Orlando inside the Blue Man Group Theatre, while the musical guests performed on the Music Plaza Stage after park hours.

Show Us the FunnyWhile we waited for the show to start, monitors around the studio played some of Fallon’s most notable Tonight Show skits, including Tight Pants and news anchor Brian Williams rapping. Later warm-up comic Seth Herzog bantered with the audience—and had us in stitches when he called out the obnoxious studio member who wouldn’t keep quiet—before introducing house band, The Roots.

NBC

Assigned Seats
Just like at all good shows—hello, Oscars and Emmys—there were seat fillers on hand; ready to sit in for anyone who missed the warning that there would be no bathrooms or getting up once the show started. Needless to say, many seat fillers were put to use.

Baby Got Back
When Jimmy would introduce a pre-taped skit (i.e., Harry Potter wand skit and Brian Williams Sir Mix-A-Lot rap) there was a TV in view of his hosting desk so he could watch along with the audience. And it appeared as if Jimmy was just like us, seeing it for the first time, because he laughed as loud as we did—maybe even louder. Kathie Lee Gifford’s addition of “me so horny” put everyone over the edge.

Let’s Get Real
When Jennifer Lopez made her appearance, the women in the audience took a minute to take in her tight white dress with plunging neckline, while the men instantly stood to applaud what was in it.

What They DoDuring the commercial breaks, The Roots—who should most definitely win an award for the best-dressed band—treated the audience to short jam sessions.

Dazed and ConfusedAfter Jennifer’s segment she came back out to tape some promos with Jimmy, but instead of taking her original seat, she went to sit behind the desk. Jimmy laughed and told her she could host the show if she wanted. Jennifer just giggled, saying, “I don’t know where I’m going—just tell me what to do.”

Time to KillOnce The Tonight Show finished taping in the studio, there was a three-hour gap before Jennifer took to the stage to perform her musical number, the first single off her new album, A.K.A. During the down time, audience members were able to wander around Universal or secure a spot at the front of the stage.

Technical ErrorNot long before Jennifer hit the stage, the warm-up comedian returned, bringing with him guys with t-shirt guns who blasted Tonight Show tops into the crowd—and one accidentally onto the lighting rig. Thankfully nothing caught on fire, despite Jennifer’s hot musical number.

Behind the ScenesAfter performing her single, “First Love,” a Tonight Show producer informed everyone they were going to shoot another take. With the exception of the fireworks, it was the second take that ended up airing.

NBC

Dancing With the StarsWhen the show aired later that night Jimmy busted a move with Jennifer’s back-up dancers while the credits ran. But what you didn’t see was afterwards when the late night host kept going, and broke out his best running man with Jennifer cheering him on by chanting “Go, Jimmy! Go, Jimmy! Go, Jimmy!”

The Tonight Show is scheduled to film in Orlando until June 19. Other musical guests include Jimmy Buffett, Pitbull, and fun with appearances by Rosario Dawson and Kevin Hart.

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